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Light and Inexpensive Amps

tunewriter

tunewriter

Jul 26, 2012
108
26
#1
I am 65 and face the real prospect of gigging again. Unfortunately, we have no roadies. I will be lugging my own equip. Have an Ibanez SDGR 500 that I love. One of the lighter basses around. Looking for a lite amp that will easily fill a medium room. My back and shoulders just cringe at lugging a heavy bass amp. Always felt a 15" speaker was a must but I'm willing to listen to reason. Thanks for any suggestions gang!
 
#3
tunewriter said:
I am 65 and face the real prospect of gigging again. Unfortunately, we have no roadies. I will be lugging my own equip. Have an Ibanez SDGR 500 that I love. One of the lighter basses around. Looking for a lite amp that will easily fill a medium room. My back and shoulders just cringe at lugging a heavy bass amp. Always felt a 15" speaker was a must but I'm willing to listen to reason. Thanks for any suggestions gang!
Click to expand...

Gallien-Krueger Amps
MB200 - 200W - 2lbs
MB500 - 500W - 3.75lbs
MB Fusion - 500W - 4.5lbs

Shoot, the heaviest of the MB line of heads is a whopping 5.5lbs!!!
 
#4
+1 find yourself a nice lightweight head, (many to choose from), and pair it with a good 2x12. The reason I suggest a 212 is because a single anything will limit your volume, and 2 12's are sufficient for almost any gig, while being significantly lighter than a big 215, or a 410 even. Combo amps in general, are too much of a compromise.
 
#6
Congrats on playing again! I applaud you sir!

You're probably going to find the 15" combos a bit heavier than your back remembers, but lucky enough the 12's are pretty incredible nowadays. I'm going to drop a couple links for you to look at. I'm not endorsing the vendor, just giving you ideas and there is a tab that says "reviews" that you can read for your own evaluations. Now, I have to admit, I'm still using an ancient Peavey Combo, and I'm old enough to remember Woodstock lol, but I'm used to hauling heavy stuff because of my job. By the way, I'm also an Ibanez SR500 user, and yes it is light, and a lot of bang for the buck! Good luck! :bassist:

Here you go, some suggestions

TC Electronics brand new combo:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/tc-electronic-bg250-250w-1x15-bass-combo-amp

Gallien-Krueger MB112

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...er-mb112-200w-1x12-ultra-light-bass-combo-amp

My personal favorite, the Markbass Mini Cmd 121P

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/amplifiers-effects/markbass-mini-cmd-121p-1x12-bass-combo-amp

And guess what-- from Carvin, a small combo with a 15" speaker in it! :-)

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Let us know what you decided on and how your gigs go! :-) Good luck!
 

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